Lovett started Communion in the summer of 2006 in London as an independent platform for new artists who needed help promoting their music. He scheduled monthly club nights, where up-and-comers like Noah and the Whale, Laura Marling and Lovett’s own band would have a chance to play to a packed room. Lovett is now trying the same approach in the U.S. with nine club dates throughout October. The tour makes stops in Nashville, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York City–where they’ll kick things off tonight (October 1) at Rockwood Music Hall.

In an interview with Radio.com, Lovett said that helping young bands has always been important to him and that his first job was actually as a promoter. At 12 years old, he was organizing birthday parties for kids in his neighborhood; by 15, he was booking bands for his high school dance.